NEWS RELEASES

May 18, 2001 (11:00 a.m. EDT) No. 61

MANLEY WELCOMES SIGNATURE OF AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH UNESCO INSTITUTE FOR STATISTICS IN MONTREAL

John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today welcomed the signature in Paris of an agreement between Canada and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that provides for the establishment of the Seat of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics in Montreal.

The agreement, signed by the Canadian Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Louis Hamel, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, follows the successful bid by Montreal to house the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

"I am pleased that the agreement between Canada and UNESCO has been finalized and that arrangements are underway to establish the UNESCO Institute for Statistics in Montreal. This move will reaffirm Canada's place as a host of significant international organizations," said Mr. Manley. "The Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and the City of Montreal, as well as Montréal International, have co-operated closely to make this venture possible."

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics was established to meet the growing requirements by member states and the international community for a wider range of policy-relevant, timely and reliable statistics in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. The Institute, which will be located at the University of Montreal, will be formally inaugurated in the Fall of 2001.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact: